Bio: Ato Boldon was born in Port-Of-Spain in 1973 He left Trinidad for New York City in 1998, where, while playing soccer, he is discovered by head track coach Joe Trupiano at Jamaica High School in Queens, the following year he finished 3rd at the NY State meet, and 6th at 100m. In 1990 Ato moved to San Jose, California, where he becomes an All-State forward in soccer at Piedmont Hills High. In 1993 He finishes 3rd at the California State High School Championships at 200 meters in 21.07w. Ato made his Olympic debut in the 1992 games in Barcelona, he did not win any Olympic medals that year, however he would later win 2 gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters at the World Junior Championships in Seoul, South Korea, an unprecedented feat, as no-one in history had ever before won these two coveted titles in the same meet.
In his second Olympic performance (1996), Ato became a double-medallist, taking bronze the 100 and 200 meter dashes. In 1997 Ato won his first World Title at the World Championships in the 200 meter dash. The following year, 1998 was his best ever He wins the Goodwill Games 200m, and sets a new meet record in winning the 100m Commonwealth Title. At season's end, his 1998 SEASON 100m average is under 10 seconds flat, a first for any sprinter.
In 2000 at the Sydney Olympics Ato won a silver and a bronze, making his career total four. In 2001 Boldon’s career was marked by controversy when he tested positive for the illegal substance and stimulant, Ephedrine. Ato maintains he had ingested it in medicine and not as a result of performance-enhancing steroids. He lives in Los Angeles and visits Trinidad regularly. He has received many honors including a calypso titled “go Ato go” written about him, however in an interview with Sports Illustrated he made clear that his greatest wish would be to have a BWIA jet named in his honor.
Afiwi.com's complete profile on Ato Boldon
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